***Main Area Sickbay * USS Chimera *** Things were calming down in sickbay. Scott, nearing the end of his shift noticed Mercedes talking to a sandy haired security officer.He saw her smile and laugh at something the man said to her. {She's so pretty when she laughs like that} he told himself, a smile touching the corners of his mouth. "Well have you?" Scott glanced sideways to see Steve obviously waiting for a reply.Not recalling having heard the question Scott replied. "Have I what?" Steve looked slightly annoyed at his fellow AMO s inattention. "I said...have you noticed anything about Rangi?...does she seem ok to you?" "Rangi?" Scotts eyes darted towards the CMO s office as though the subject of their conversation might be visible through the wall. "Should I have?" he counter questioned returning his attention to Steve. "I....just wondered." came a slow reply and Steve turned away, intent on clearing the backlog of reports. Scotts attention was drawn back to Mercedes but something in Steves tone told him there was more to it and he decided it hadnt been an idle question. "What makes you ask that?" he said. "You mean...you think theres a problem?" "I know there is." Steve said without looking up from his work. Scott, feeling a bit tired after a busy shift, wasnt in the mood for trying to work out cryptic answers.He shifted his weight from foot to foot and asked again."What makes you think so?" "Because Lt Wellington told me she 'senses' that somethings not right with Rangi. Its a personal thing she said...like Rangis bothered by something that involves the counselor." Steve replied and waited for a response that didnt come, for Scott merely looked puzzled. "He's given her all this extra work..all the XO stuff..on top of her work here. Havent you seen how tired she looks? It's too much...he should see that." Light began to dawn for Scott and warily he listened to the explanation take shape. "At the Winter Ball..he was oggling the counselor.Not that I'm surprised, she's a very beautiful woman and dressed as she was..well." he gave a small shrug. "...but he thinks he can have two women? ...ofcourse Rangi is upset by it...that's what the counselor can sense." Scott stood looking at his companion with a serious expression on his face.Steve had never before spoken so openly but Scott wasnt surprised by the barely veiled feelings he had displayed. "That man is a complete fool." Steve gathered a pile of medpadds together and strode off in the direction of the a workstation. Scott watched him go and after a moment looked at the floor and sighed. Glancing at Steves figure, he made up his mind, crossing the distance between them in purposeful strides and coming to a halt beside his fellow AMO. Steve, aware of his presence, eventually turned his head to look at the silent figure. "You have to let this go." Scott said quietly. Steve frowned. " I dont know what you imagine .." Scott continued " but whatever it is...it's not going to happen.I dont want to know your business." he added quickly, raising his hand in a gesture to stop Steves reply " ..but think on it..you can NOT go around this ship saying stuff like that about Commander Guzman...even if it was true, you can't say it." He paused, lowering his hand when Steve remained silent. "Rangi's in love with him..it's clear enough to see..... Now if he wants to play around..and Rangi gets hurt..that's between them. It's their problem...not ours." Steve returned his attention to the padds, dismissing Scott without a word, a bitter look on his face. Scott, convinced he had been right to speak out, didnt try to prolong a one sided conversation and began to walk away,glad that his shift was ended and wishing his friend could see the misery he was making for himself. "Scott?...a word please?" Rangi was standing close to her office door. She gestured that he follow her and went inside. *CMO Office* AS the door hissed closed behind him, Scott saw Rangi pick up a padd from her desk. She turned as he walked towards her pointed to a chair and asked him to sit. When he did so, she held out the padd. "Read this please." she said. Scott accepted the medpadd and switched it on. Next moment he glanced up with a look of surprise. "This is your medical history" he stated. "Yes...please read it...the last three entries." Scott did as he was bid, his dark head bent as he began to read. Rangi saw the moment he read what she wanted him to see. He half raised his head, looking up at her as he spoke. "You have the effects too?" She nodded and he read on, a frown now across his face. "I see." he said at length, offering her the padd which she accepted."You're seeing that Luggage thing?" he asked. "No.." she answered with a small smile. "I havent seen it since I woke up after the treatment." Scott smiled politely and waited for an explanation. Rangi moved around her desk and sat down in her chair. She looked at the medpadd and then across at the AMO. " I want you to monitor me." she told him quietly and at his questioning look, tapped a finger on the padd and said "...the effect.At the moment I can control it. It's a feeling you see...an emotional state." Scotts frown deepened but he nodded slowly not taking his eyes from her face. "The thing is..." Rangi glanced at the padd. "...it's not getting better...and there might come a point when I dont realize that its having an effect on my work." "Right." Scott murmured. "It's fine now..I know I can carry out all my duties perfectly well...but I need to be sure that it continues that way." "Right" he repeated. "I'm asking you...because I've known you along time...you know me...what I'm like. I could have asked Steve...but ...well..I think you're better suited for this." Scott gave a small nod and dropped his gaze. {Then she knows what Steves..hoping for?}he asked himself. He looked up at her."What do you want me to do?" he asked. "Basically...I want you to keep an eye on me..be aware of my reactions to people and situations. I really hope this doesnt escalate..but it might....without me realizing it. If you notice anything you must enter it in my records...and you must inform Commander Guzman straight away....he might need to replace me...as AXO." Scott understood her concern and nodded again."I understand." he said. "Thankyou." Rangi smiled and stood up. "You're off duty and I have someone to see...we begin tomorrow ok?" "Ok" He stood up to and walked to the door where he turned and gave Rangi a reassuring smile. *** End Log *** LtCmdr Rangi Summers CMO/AXO USS Chimera & LtJG Scott Fisher & Steve Desoto AMO s USS Chimera (npcs) Rangi